Category Archives: Dolls and Miniatures

I have vivid memories from childhood of beating Kirby’s Adventure on the original NES. I was at a sleepover at a friend’s house and her dad had his own console so he could play video game golf, to which I was all, “Sports video games will never be popular,” because I was 12 at the time. I place the memory in childhood, even though I was in middle school at the time, but there was something inherently joyous and innocent about the event. Ever since then, Kirby has had a special place in my heart, so imagine my excitement when a Kirby-themed Re-ment set was announced: Kirby’s Cafe Time!

The release date is December 2017 and there are 8 sets in the series:

1. Welcome to cafe! includes a Kirby figure with a tan hat, a candy stand with Kirby-shaped lollies, and a chalkboard cafe sign that reads “Welcome to Pupupu Cafe!”

2. Honey toast (none of the names thrill after Set 1) comes with presumably a honey toast with a Kirby ice cream scoop on top, a Kirby soda float, and a fork and knife set with holder.

3. Cafe table is aptly named as it comes with an adorable pink Kirby cafe table with a star-shaped base. The set also includes a menu, a Meta Knight cake roll, a 1-up napkin holder, and a second Kirby fork. Odd that the fork is appearing in two sets; why the duplicate?

4. Omelette rice is extremely cute and features a Kirby made of rice sleeping under an omelette blanket with a maximum tomato drawn in katchup. That is next level right there. The set also includes a Kirby shaped cup of coffee, a spoon (completing the silverware set), a bell, and a salad.

5. Hamburger set has a Kirby burger basket with star fries, a mug of root beer, and a tray holding a silver pitcher and jar of star candies that’s being carried by the generic enemy that gives you no superpowers. I cannot remember what they’re called.

6. Sofa is awesome and features a Kracko sofa, which is the cyclops cloud that shoots lightning at you. This set also comes with a book, a coffee cup with Kirby shaped foam, and a tray with a Kirby donut and star cookie sandwich.

7. Pancake includes a star chair that matches the cafe table, an elaborate Kirby ice cream float, another spoon, and a frying pan with individual Kirby pancakes with whipped cream.

8. Coffee features Whispy Woods, a super cute Kirby cupcake, a maximum tomato coffee cup, a coffee pot, and a kettle with a hamster on it that reads “kick” for some reason.

Sets 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are all on my wishlist with 6 being my absolute favorite. With that many to love, I may as well order the whole set. The December 2017 release date makes it a pretty sweet holiday gift, too.

I’m taking a deep breath to welcome in the fall season, and as the pumpkin spice fills my lungs, I’m overjoyed to see the number of amazing Halloween offerings that are already appearing. Thank you, September! An early standout is this upsettingly good Skelita Calaveras (Monster High doll) repaint by Xhanthi. It’s currently being auctioned off on eBay, ending September 27th 2017. I have no doubt that it will sell for a pretty penny, and with good reason.

The detail on this piece is remarkable; the mummified skin around the teeth is enough to make me bow down to her skills. I also like that Xhanthi decided to mix traditional horror elements into a Dia de los Muertos theme. Dia is fairly well-trod at this point, so it’s always nice when people mix it up. This includes me, by the way; I’ve done a few Day of the Dead dolls, but always want to do more. Just today I was thinking, “What can I do that’s a little different?” This doll accomplishes that.

My title may be awkward, but the excitement is real! Groove has just announced that the Dal MIO (Make It Own) kit, also called Face & Body, will now come in the Mocha skin tone. This new release is set to appear in September 2017.

The MIO kits have been a smash, with stores unable to keep them in stock for long, and it has given new life to the Groove doll customizing scene. I am especially excited about a Mocha Dal MIO because I’ve been wanting to make a mermaid Zombuki Dal, but I cannot imagine mermaids being pale. Just saying! I will definitely want one. Will you be picking one up?

PS: On a related note, Pullip Style is offering a pre-order for a Mocha Pullip MIO 5-pack. The Mocha Pullip MIO will be restocking in September as well. I post what I hear on the Zombuki Dolls Facebook page, so feel free to join me there. It’s like 1/3rd me promoting my dolls and 2/3rds me being a doll nerd, if you were curious.

Update! They have been released and the links below have been updated.

To be honest, I was starting to think that Groove was going to stop making Pullip. Production of new dolls was slow, orders for the excessively popular MIO kits are delayed, and I was wondering if this was the end. Then, these two new Gouk Miyabi collaboration dolls appear, and I’m very heartened. If this is the direction Groove is going in, I couldn’t be happier. Shion (left) and Kagezakura (right) will be released in November 2017. My thoughts on the dolls are below, pre-order links and a full image gallery are at the bottom of the page.

Pullip Shion

Pullip Shion appears first in Groove’s blog announcement, so I will put her first here as well. Shion is a traditional-looking doll and reminds me a bit of Xiao Fan. She’s very pale and has dark, shoulder-length hair with bangs. Her outfit seems no-frills to me, but also very clean. I especially like the use of chrysanthemums, one of my favorite flowers.

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I’m Brigitte and this is the story of my mild ride. I’ve blogged all sorts of things through the years, and the site reflects it! Adventures in handmade, business ownership, papercraft, literary analysis, and toy blogging all show up here. Hey, I’m just eclectic.